A breakdown of the figure shows that N145.94 is for recurrent expenditure while N252.37 is for capital expenditure.

The 2013 budget is lower than this year’s budget of N437.21 billion by N38.9billion.

Uduaghan however announced the setting up of what he described as a “self-evaluation process,” to appraise the performances of his commissioners.
Presenting the budget, Governor Uduaghan said, “the reality of the need for us to build Delta State beyond oil is becoming more evident by the day. In the past few months, our oil revenue has dwindled drastically resulting in adopting stiffer financial measures.

“Mr. Speaker, Delta State is being repositioned. I am glad to let you know that what we have embarked upon is a process which is unique to Delta State and Nigeria, in the sense that it is a self-evaluation process, not dictated by anybody, but by ourselves because at this point in time, there is no proper accountability in the governance of Nigerians.

“The Delta State Economic Dashboard we have recently put in place is a traffic-like methodology where we look at all the sectors, the ministries, departments and agencies and subject them to a rigorous level of scrutiny and come out periodically with a result on their performance. It also facilitates coordination, and enables each MDA see how they fit into the overall objectives of growing the economy.’’

Whilst lamenting the monumental loss caused by recent flooding in the state, the governor further said, “it has awakened our consciousness not to underestimate the capacity of heavy flood to cause huge destruction in our environment.

“Old ways of thinking and doing things have to change. We have commenced action to protect the environment with relevant bill which shall be prsnted to this House in due course.”